Sarah asked. “I admit I was surprised when the engagement was announced. I thought Lavinia wanted Lord Berwick.”
“She did want Lord Berwick, until after the play,” Thomas replied. “Lord Stanley began coming round day after day, and if there’s one thing Lavinia cannot resist, it’s someone who thinks she is as wonderful as she finds herself.”
“Yes, well, I’m just happy she’s married,” Alex said. “Now Devon and baby Elizabeth may have cousins from both of you.”
“Never fear. I shall get started at my earliest opportunity,” Thomas replied with a roguish grin.
“What about Lady Emmaline? Has she found a match yet?” Lucy asked.
“Lady Emmaline and Lord Berwick were courting, last I heard,” Cass interjected.
Derek closed his eyes in mock agony. “No more matchmaking, my love. I swear you’ll send me to an early grave.”
“That’s interesting, coming from you,” Lucy retorted. “After you were just bragging about your part in Thomas’s plans.”
Derek threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, well, seems I’ve learned from the best too.”
Cass reached out and patted Delilah’s arm. “I saw your mother in the church this morning. Are you sad she isn’t here?”
“No.” Delilah shook her head. “I think it’s best if I limit her role in my life.”
“Your mother should be nothing but happy, dear,” Lucy replied. “After all, you did end up marrying a duke, just as you said you would.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Delilah replied with a sigh. “I never really considered it.”
“Yes, but you’re forgetting that at first, you wanted to marry the Duke of Branville,” Thomas pointed out.
She turned to him, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him thoroughly and indecently. “The Duke of Branville? Who is that? As far as I’m concerned, my darling, there is no other duke but you.”
EPILOGUE
Cade Cavendish sat on the settee in the library at Huntley’s estate. Thomas and Delilah’s wedding festivities were winding down, but the children, who had been allowed to stay up late, had all come out to sit in a semicircle around his knees and stare up at him. They liked him to tell them tall tales about his daring former life at sea.
“Uncle Cade, Uncle Cade, give your speech, the one we like,” Devon Monroe insisted.
“The one about fairies that rhymes,” Bella Swift added.
“What are they talking about?” Danielle said to her husband. She stood behind him smiling and shaking her head.
Cade threw back his head and laughed. “They want me to recite the speech I memorized when I played Puck.”
“Which one?” Danielle asked.
“This one,” Cade said, before clearing his throat. Heturned to the children. “If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here. While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme. No more yielding but a dream. Gentles, do not reprehend. If you pardon, we will mend. And, as I am an honest Puck. If we have unearned luck. Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue. We will make amends ere long. Else the Puck a liar call. So good night unto you all. Give me your hands if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends.”
